Any Soldier Inc.

Mission:
TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF OUR SOLDIERS. TO FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF CARE ITEMS TO SOLDIERS DEPLOYED UNDER DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. TO INCREASE THE NETWORK OF SOLDIERS AVAILABLE TO DISTRIBUTE CARE ITEMS. TO UNDERTAKE STRATEGIC PROJECTS TO PROMOTE AND FACILITATE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT WITH THOSE IN THE ARMED SERVICES Programs:
FACILITATING DELIVERY OF CARE ITEMS, INCREASING AWARENESS ABOUT THE SACRIFICES MADE BY SOLDIERS, ACTING AS A CONDUIT FOR COMMUNICATION FROM THE TROOPS TO THEIR SUPPORTERS.

Community Reviews

I have been sending letters and packages through Any Soldier for 3 or 4 years. I love that you can choose your own soldier and are not obligated to send "stuff" on any kind of time-table. You can send just cards & letters if that's all you can afford to do. You need to donate to AnySoldier from time to time to be able to keep receiving names/addresses and I completely understand the reason for that. Whenever you have a question, someone answers it in a timely manner. This organization is an excellent one!!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

receiving timely answers to my questions. I have also received great communication from some of the troops who have received the items I have sent them. That is always great because I know the guys/gals are busy defending our country and when they take the time to communicate with me it makes my day!

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I have read of people getting "cut off" from receiving names/addresses because they have not made a "donation". I would suggest not calling it a "donation", but a "fee" or some other word. "Donation" to me means give if you want to or not. Set a dollar figure so people would know they will be cut off if they don't give X amount. Or when they are cut off, let them know how much they need to send to be reinstated. I know this is a tricky area, but there must be a way to do it.

I had been looking for a website for a while to help support troops and finally found anysoldier.com. I have found this website to be awesome. It is a great way to support our troops overseas with the things they actually need and LETTERS :). This website helps us here in the states to show our love and support to our troops. To complete STRANGERS. God bless. :)

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I have had some of the children in my sunday school class to draw some pictures and write saying thanks. They love drawing for the soldiers. This is a great way to get the kids to learn how to support and show their love to the troops. :)

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I have been a supporter for countless years it seems. My family has a long tradition of military support with my father, husband, and now daughter all serving. Anysoldier is great for getting a personal connection established when you don't have a current relative sent overseas. The information on the site is enough to get a 'snapshot' of "your" person without invading privacy or Operational Security. While it would be wonderful to have a regular correspondance with "your" serviceman everyone must start with believing it IS NOT going to happen, just due to the nature of war. So any reply is treated as golden, and the anysoldier forums lets you share that joy with others who understand. And lets you hear 'news' even if "your" contact can't write.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I started requesting names and addresses when I had a scout troop. We would try to assemble boxes of needed toiletries, snacks, of course= Girl Scout cookies. But there is a chance for a more personal connection, not a given or a promise but that chance that "your" soldier/sailor/marine/airman will write back. Once that happened- the whole thing became much more personal to me.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Find ways to pay for the website so all monies could go to sending care packages. I do donate (via payroll deduction) to keep the infrastructure working and think is it worthwhile. I wish, however, that wasn't necessary.

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

Life-changing

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?

Let's have a packing party?

Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)

New 'friends' that needed to know just how much they were appreciated.

How did this volunteer experience make you feel?

I love anysoldier and want to hug them all.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

AnySoldier.com supplies contact information for those of us who wish to support soldiers in combat zones. I like to send personal hygiene and snack items to the troops and AnySoldier makes it possible to obtain the information through their website.

The first time I came across the Any Soldier website I was mesmerized by the stories and content. The site is done extremely well, easy to use and the follow-up is immediate. As you read through the wish lists it is virtually impossible to choose just one, but my budget doesn't allow me to pick more than that at a time. I think that Any Soldier is supporting an amazing service for our troops and us at home. I have done other troop support services but this one is the easiest to use, and since you commit at will, it doesn't need to be a hardship.

AnySoldier is one of the best sites I've seen in a long time and the cause is SO worthwhile. The site is well organized, with tons of information and how-to's. There is more than one way to help - send boxes, cards, letters, donate money, etc. This is OUR military and they need to be supported for the sacrifices they make on OUR behalf. I feel that if I can do a little something to brighten THEIR day, then I have made a difference in the life of a soldier. Won't you make a difference too?

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I just feel good because I did something nice for a group of soldiers that I don't even know. In return I've received emails of thanks. But more than that, it's just knowing that I brightened someones day.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Spread the word about this organization even more. Not enough people know about it. We can all do more!!

I have used Anysoldier.com to adopt deployed military members for the last few years. It is an awesome site that allows our brave men and women to connect with Americans at home who want to support them and let them know we honor them and their mission: to protect American freedom and interests. Addresses and information on what each contact needs are readily available -- actually only a click away! I have received immense pleasure at supporting these brave Americans, and I have not had a single issue with the site. I have recommended the site to others, and will continue to do so. Anysoldier is an awesome organization, and I applaud all they do to support our service men and women.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

being able to support our military. I have received feedback numerous times from deployed soldiers, sailors and Marines who have expressed their grateful appreciation for my letters and packages. I am thankful to this organization for "hooking me up" with them.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

not change a thing. The website is comprehensive and I like the way it is set up.

Any Soldier provides contact information s members of the general public can support deployed military members with care packages and letters. In the 7 years that I've been using this service, I have sent hundreds of care packages to our men & women serving in varous dager zones overseas. The contacts I have made have enriched my life immeasurably - they are always so grateful for anything and so self-effacing about their service. WHat has touched me most is how so many of them request items for the children in these war zones. Their generosity has helped provde school supplies, warm clothing, toys and sports equipment. They ask and the public always responds with an out pouring of gifts that say as much about the hearts of the people who support this program as it does about the contacts it provides. I will always be grateful to the Horn family for setting up this wonderful website, I always make a point of mentioning it whenever anyone asks me why I'm buying all the snacks and hygiene items I send over. I figure that the more people who know, the more support our military will receive. Bravo Zulu to Any Soldier!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

all the letters, cards & pictures I have received from the recipients of my care packages. The ones that touched me most were the pictures of the young children our military personnel have cared enough to request items for. I have pictures of Iraqi children with bags of school supplies and Afghan kids with new shoes & socks they received because an Any Soldier contact cared enough to request help for them.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

publicize it more - I wish they could advertize on TV or have a nightly news segment done that would show everyone how wonderful they are.

This is a great charity because it helps soldiers get a direct link to people wanting to support them. I know a lot of people support and want to help our troops overseas but have no idea what they need or even how to get supplies to them. Any Soldier has provided the much needed link and brightened both the volunteer's day as well as the soldiers'.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Allowing me to remember that there are still many men and women putting their lives on the line for our country as well as many others. I've felt the satisfaction that people really do still appreciate the little things in life and also been able to help those who do so much for us.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Allow older members to get more than 10 addresses per month, especially groups.

Anysoldier.com is a very user-friendly site that allows you to select a deployed group to support. You can select your contact by several different criteria - including which branch of service, male/female, country they are in, country they are from, what supplies they are requesting, etc. Once you request and get their address (which is almost immediate), you can begin sending letters or packages. The website offers assistance by having sections on what to send, how to ship it, what is banned, etc. Even if you've never shipped to an APO/FPO address before, you will know what you're doing once you read everything.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I have received multiple emails and letters from the troops thanking me for supporting them. It is heartwarming to hear from them, knowing how busy they are. They don't ask for much and they are so appreciative.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I honestly don't know what I would change - I love this website!

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

Life-changing

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)

Supporting our military is a passion of mine. Even though I have a limited budget, this site has allowed me to use my money wisely and truly support our troops in a hands-on way. As a bonus, I have made many new friends.

How did this volunteer experience make you feel?

It makes me feel like I am truly making a difference in someone's life. And it has changed my life - I am in awe when I think of all these men and women who are willing to put their lives on hold and defend our country. Sending a care package may seem like a small thing, but it really does make a difference.